COVID-19: Extending permits to live or work in EU countries if immigration is closed

Here is how employees working in EU countries can get extensions to their expiring work permits if coronavirus has shut local immigration authorities.

The COVID-19 crisis is creating challenges of all kinds for businesses around the world.

Many have employees working long term in Germany and other EU countries, and many of those have dependents living with them there too.

A pressing concern for many is that the visas that let them live and work abroad are about to expire or have already done so. But, with strict travel bans stopping them from leaving, how can they still live and work there legally until life returns to normal?

Ordinarily, they would seek an extension to work permits or dependants’ residency visas from the immigration authority with jurisdiction over the area where they’re staying. However, current measures to prevent the spread of the virus mean most authorities are either closed or their teams are working remotely, with no telling when they will reopen.

Dwyer Legal can help reach them to secure vital visa extensions – and much-needed reassurance.

We’ll get through when you can’t

Every employee’s circumstances are different. So we’ll contact yours to understand their situation, request any details we need from them, and explain the next steps.

Then we’ll communicate directly with the relevant immigration authorities and their emergency teams working remotely to secure work permit and residency extensions as quickly as possible.

To do that we will need:

• The employee’s contact details
• Copies of passports and entry visas (for them and any dependents living with them)
• Copies of any letters used to support these visa applications

Plus, details of:

• Where they work in their home country
• When they arrived in Germany (or another EU country)
• Where they’re living right now (including proof from their hotel or host)

We’ll also need proof:

• That leaving the country is not possible
• Of any health insurance cover (if applicable)

Dwyer Legal is ready to provide a lifeline to your business and your people at this difficult time.